Wednesday, December 19, 2012

THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE AND EXELON REJOICE WITH THE RETURN OF THE 8TH ANNUAL “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” JANUARY 19 – 20

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It may be hard to think beyond the holidays at the moment, but tickets are on sale now for the 8th annual “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah,” January 19 and January 20. Tickets are great clutter busting gifts that create lasting family memories.

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. with this annual, aural, all ages, celebration.

Chicago favorites Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke and Karen Marie Richardson join 200 of Chicago’s finest musicians and vocalists, under the direction of Bill Fraher and Suzanne Mallare Acton, for two public performances only—filling the historic landmark theater with the joyous sounds and exuberance of this All-American reinvention of Handel’s “Messiah.”

200
Musicians and Vocalists With Soloists RodrickDixon, Alfreda Burke
and

Karen
Marie Richardson Pay Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, celebrates Martin
Luther King Jr. with the 8th
annual “Too
Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah,”
January 19 and January 20. Chicago favorites Rodrick
Dixon, Alfreda Burke and
Karen Marie Richardson
join 200 of Chicago’s finest musicians and vocalists, under the
direction of Bill Fraher
and Suzanne Mallare Acton,
for two public performances only—filling the historic landmark
theater with the joyous sounds and exuberance of this All-American
reinvention of Handel’s “Messiah.”Tickets ($30 – $74) are
on sale now and available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling (800) 982-2787 or at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50
E Congress Pkwy).

A one-hour
Student Matinee performance is offered on Friday, January 18, open to
any student elementary through high school for $10 each. Tickets are
available by calling (312) 341-2357.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

“Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” performs at the Auditorium Theatre:

Since
its 2006 Chicago debut, “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel
Messiah” has continued to reinvigorate audiences while paying
tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“This
show provides our community with a truly unique way to celebrate
Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, not only because of Dr. King’s
deep love of gospel and jazz music but the way in which it represents
Chicago’s diversity in both performers and audience members,”
said Executive Director Brett
Batterson. “It’s
incredible to see an entire audience brought to their feet with such
vigor and excitement. It is a true celebration of music, and of a man
so important to United States history.”

“Ingeniously
re-imagined to embrace black musical tradition, the aptly named ‘Too
Hot to Handel’ proved that even the most revered classical
masterpieces can be taught to swing.” (Chicago
Tribune’s Howard Reich).
Mixing gospel and jazz stylings, “Too Hot” brings music lovers of
all genres to their feet. Brought
to life onstage by 200 Chicago musicians including 150 voices from
the citywide “Too Hot” Choir under the direction of Old St.
Patrick’s Church music director Bill
Fraher, and a 50-piece
symphony orchestra and jazz ensemble under the baton of conductor
Suzanne Mallare Acton.
“Too Hot to Handel” then brings the powerhouse voices of Rodrick
Dixon, Alfreda Burke and
Karen Marie Richardson
to lead the group through the incredible music that fills the
Auditorium Theatre. The show is enhanced through LED screens that
will not only display historical photos of Martin Luther King Jr. but
will also capture the performers and audience members during the
performance. Video Production made possible through the generosity of
Bill & Shelley Farley.

In
tandem with “Too Hot to Handel,” the Auditorium’s Department of
Creative Engagement utilizes innovative programming to involve the
community by teaching Chicago students about Martin Luther King Jr.
and the power of music and celebration. For the 4th
consecutive year, the Auditorium invites Chicago Public School
students, grades 3-12, to write an original poem celebrating Dr.
King's vision of the beloved community. Finalist’s
poems will be published in “N’DIGO”
Magazine.
In addition, the grand prize-winner will receive 4 free tickets to
the “Too
Hot to Handel”opening
night performance and will recite their poem on
stage before the show.Poems must be sent via mail
to Attn: THTH Poetry Contest, 50 E Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60605,
and received by Friday December 7, 2012.

Auditorium
Theatre’s Department of Creative Engagement is also reaching out to
CPS High
School Choirsand
inviting them to apply to a “Too
Hot to Handel” Master Class
facilitated by the “Too
Hot to Handel”stars.
Students will have the opportunity to work with “Too
Hot”conductor
Suzanne
Mallare Acton,
perform a solo piece and receive coaching from “Too
Hot”vocalists
Alfreda
Burke and
Rodrick
Dixon and
are
invited to attend the Student Matinee performance. Please
contact atru-education@auditoriumtheatre.orgfor more information on
the Master Class.

The
Auditorium also offersthe
“Too Hot” Residency Program, bringing
together the words of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
and
the music of “Too
Hot to Handel.”
A free
program for CPS Grades 3 – 8, students will examine Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.’s vision
of the beloved community while
gaining a basic understanding of musical composition. Under the
guidance of “Too
Hot”Teaching
Artists,students
will create a final musical composition reflecting on and musically
articulating their own vision of what Dr. King’s beloved community
means to them now.Residencies
take place in December and early January. No musical
training or instruments necessary.
Also
available free
to CPS Grades 3 – 8, is a One-Day
Workshop where
students willstudy elementsof“Too Hot”to understand how small
personal choices have a big impact the community. Students will
use this knowledge tocreate a quilt that will
be displayed in the Auditorium lobbyexpressing how they
individually
can make a positivedifference.
Contact
Christina Bourné,
Director
of Education and Creative Engagement at (312) 341-2353 or
cbourne@auditoriumtheatre.org.

“Too
Hot to Handel” is presented
by Exelon. “Too Hot to
Handel” educational outreach
programs are made possible through the JPMorgan Chase Foundation with
additional support from The PrivateBank and The Robert Thomas Bobins
Foundation for the student matinee performances. Additional
support provided by Friends of “Too Hot to Handel”, “N’DIGO”,
and “Chicago Jazz Magazine”.

The
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E Congress
Pkwy, is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to
presenting the finest in international, cultural and community
programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and
preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre.
The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the Illinois Arts
Council, CityArts, and the Palmer House Hilton. For more information
about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater
tours, call (312) 341-2310 or visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

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